The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was held inside the Grand Lobby of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, Soi 18 Naklua, on Friday 9th December. It was posted as being the final Christmas fundraiser of the year for Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation (MCCF). Most definitely this was a red carpet event with lots of glitz and glamor.
Christmas is recognized as being a time of giving, and Tracy Cosgrove, the driving force behind MCCF, announced the sponsors dug so deep into their pockets that 100% of the 1500 baht ticket price went direct to the charity.
Andre Brulhart, general manager of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, addresses the gathering.
Andre Brulhart, general manager of Centara Grand Mirage was on hand for conversation, photos, and interviews. He was supported by Sunee Vaemanee, the resort’s public relations manager, to ensure things ran smoothly, which they did.
Tracy and her daughter Melissa explained that the money raised would be going towards a new project located on Jomtien 2nd Road, to create a safe environment at a day care centre for the children of construction workers. Seventy five children are already listed for help, with up to two hundred expected in the future.
(L to R) Panadda Wongpoodee, MC and Miss Thailand 2000; Andre Brulhart, General Manager of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya; Tracy Cosgrove, Founder of Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation; Rattanachai Sitthidechanai, Pattaya’s Tourism and Sports Committee Chairman; Jackie Pachararat, Sponsor Representative from main sponsor of CES Equipment & Tools for Professionals; and Bill Francis as Santa Clause all take part in lighting up the Christmas tree.
CES – Equipment & Tools for Professionals were very generous sponsors, and their sales manager, Pachararat Tanasetpiwat, who kindly used her nickname Jackie, ably represented the company for those who need industrial cranes.
‘Santa Bill’ Francis made a wonderful appearance, putting smiles on the faces of children, mums, and dads alike. As well as Christmas carols I heard him singing ‘We Love PMTV’!
Rattanachai Sutidechanai, Pattaya’s Tourism and Sports Committee Chairman.
An auction with John Collingborne on the stage excited the crowd, with bidding for a night in a Centara Grand presidential suite, along with 120,000 baht, plus dinner for six people, reached fever pitch, as John banged his gravel to the highest bidder Kevin Fisher, managing director of CEA at 60,000 baht.
Tracy Cosgrove says that every bit of help, big or small, is a link in the chain. This in turn helps her to help others. She wishes each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas.
